VIDEO: Dubai meets great 'Expo'ctations
Fireworks explode during the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony.
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces on Thursday welcomed delegations from across the world participating in Expo 2020 Dubai at the event’s spectacular opening ceremony.
Participants from 192 countries have converged on Dubai for the mega global event, which is being held for the first time in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
During the ceremony, Their Highnesses conveyed the greetings and good wishes of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to participants in the six-month event that celebrates human innovation, enterprise and achievement.
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai announced the official opening of Expo 2020 Dubai, saying: “Today, the entire world gathers in the United Arab Emirates. Today, we witness, together, a new beginning, as we inaugurate, together, with the blessings of Allah, Expo 2020 Dubai. May God grant us success.”
Attendees at the opening ceremony witnessed a groundbreaking, immersive audiovisual show, with breathtaking performances, special effects and larger-than-life props, with spectacular visuals displayed on the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface. The ceremony perfectly showcased the talents and creativity of the UAE and the world. Stars headlining the opening ceremony, which was projected in public spaces around the UAE, included Italian tenor singer Andrea Bocelli, British singer Ellie Goulding, Chinese pianist Lang Lang and Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu.
Sheikh Mohammed said the opening of Expo 2020 is a historic moment for the UAE that is the culmination of the collaborative efforts of national teams who have worked with dedication, passion and pride to deliver an exceptional event. Bringing together people from 192 nations representing a vast diversity of cultures and experiences, Expo’s opening is a moment of pride for the entire nation, he said.
“Today, the UAE starts another chapter in its journey to the future with a new sense of purpose. It is a journey full of exciting possibilities where new dreams and ambitions can be realised. The UAE has shown the world that it always embraces challenges, and that it is capable of emerging stronger from crises by creating new opportunities for growth and development,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Expo 2020 Dubai showcases the best of human accomplishment and excellence. Connecting minds across the world, the event brings countries, cultures and institutions together to share groundbreaking ideas and build bridges of understanding. It offers a platform to forge a united worldwide effort to build a more sustainable and prosperous future for all of mankind,” Sheikh Mohammed noted.
